GOVERNANCE

Corruption Watch handles all complaints equally

The Corruption Watch Board has noted the recent allegations that Corruption Watch is using its investigative capacity to “meddle in Cosatu power battles”. The Board wishes to respond as follows: Corruption Watch received 1 500 cases of corruption from the public in 2012. Of the reports received, only 13 implicated unions. A preliminary investigation was Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Zuma’s praise for public servants is misplaced

Dear Corruption Watch I see that President Jacob Zuma has recently praised public servants for a job well done. This is at odds with recent press on greedy public servants lining their pockets. Is our president's praise misplaced? — Confused Dear Confused We are aware of the president's congratulatory letter to the public servants, which Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Municipal looting in North West’s platinum district

Our zero this week is North West’s wealthiest municipality – the Bojanala Platinum District – where close to 30 employees were found to have awarded tenders among themselves and to other government officials, in deals worth millions of rands. The auditor-general’s report and the Municipal Public Accounts Committee oversight report for 2011/12 detail how close Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Your stories: tourist faces bribe dilemma

Here’s a snapshot of some of the corruption reports* we’ve received from the public recently, so you can get a feel for the kind of trends we’re picking up: immigration officers at Home Affairs colluding with agents, a tourist with a bribe dilemma and a clinic sister in the Eastern Cape cooking her books. Immigration Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Schools stories: drunk principal with sticky fingers

Here’s a snapshot of some of the reports* on schools we’ve received from the public recently, so you can get a feel for the kind of trends we’re picking up: an education department clerk offering jobs to friends and family, learners at a no-fees school forced to give teachers money, and a drunken principal embezzling Read more >

PRESS RELEASES

Call for complete overhaul of the Licensing of Businesses Bill

Corruption Watch believes that the Licensing of Businesses Bill, which will require anyone doing business to apply for a licence from their municipality, is open to corruption and abuse. The organisation calls for a complete overhaul. The Bill was gazetted by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, and sent out for public comment on 18 Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Public service needs a shake-up, Mr President

By Kavisha Pillay In a letter published in The Star newspaper earlier this month, President Jacob Zuma congratulated the public servants of South Africa who, he said, were improving the country. While it is commendable that many are indeed hard-working and honest individuals who strive to build the nation, the president paints a somewhat fantastical Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

How the lotteries board fights corruption

By Valencia Talane For a small village in Limpopo, a community centre provides shelter, meals and life-skills training, mostly to youth who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The livelihood of such a centre depends on donations from the public and financial support from organisations that give to charities. The centre was one of more than 700 Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

What about ‘name and shame’?

Dear Corruption Watch Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi recently announced the steps he is taking to root out corruption and collusion in his department. He says he can tell us what is being investigated but cannot tell us who, in business and government are implicated because there are laws which prevent him from disclosing names. Read more >